Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of insomnia based on microbial-gut-brain axis theory

In recent years,insomnia has gradually become a common disease in society,which seriously affects people's quality of life.At present,with the deepening of research on intestinal microbiota-gut-brain axis in Western medicine,many studies suggest that regulating the gastrointestinal tract can treat brain-related diseases.It is found that brain-gut-bacteria axis plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of primary insomnia.At present,although the clinical treatment of insomnia with Western medicine can improve the insomnia symptoms of patients to a certain extent,there are still obvious adverse reactions,such as anxiety and depression,drug addiction,etc.,so long-term oral drug therapy cannot be carried out.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and acu-puncture techniques have certain therapeutic effects on insomnia.TCM believes that the brain and gastrointestinal system are connected through the meridian,and the pathophysiology is closely related.This paper will discuss the theory and feasibility of TCM for the treatment of insomnia from the pathological relation-ship between brain-gut axis,intestinal flora and insomnia.

Discussion on Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Liver-Depression-Spleen-Deficiency Type Insomnia Based on the State-Target Theory and the Regulation of Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis

Insomnia has become an urgent clinical problem in modern society.Current research has found that the gut flora-gut-brain axis plays an important role in regulating insomnia.The state-target theory is a product of the combination of traditional Chinese medicine and modern molecular biology technology.This paper clarifies the correlation between the state-target theory,the intestinal flora-gut-brain axis,and liver-depression-spleen-deficiency insomnia.The use of traditional Chinese medicine to regulate the structure and abundance of intestinal flora was also explored,aiming to integrate traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine for the prevention and treatment of liver-depression-spleen-deficiency insomnia.

Research progress on insomnia treated by traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture based on microbial-gut-brain axis theory

Insomnia,as one of the emotional diseases,has been increasing in recent years,which has a great impact on people's life and work.Therefore,researchers are eager to find a more perfect treatment.The microbiome-gut-brain axis is a new theory that has gradually become popular abroad in recent years and has a profound impact in the field of insomnia.In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has played an increasingly important role in the treatment of insomnia,especially acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.It is the main method of TCM in the treatment of insomnia.This paper mainly reviews the combination degree of"microorganism-gut-brain axis"theory with TCM and acupuncture under the system of TCM.To explore the mechanism of TCM and acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia under the guidance of"microorganismgut-brain axis"theory,in order to provide a new idea for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia.

Construction and optimization of traditional Chinese medicine constitution prediction models based on deep learning

Objective To cater to the demands for personalized health services from a deep learning per-spective by investigating the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitu-tion data and constructing models to explore new prediction methods.Methods Data from students at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were collected and organized according to the 24 solar terms from January 21,2020,to April 6,2022.The data were used to identify nine TCM constitutions,including balanced constitution,Qi deficiency constitution,Yang deficiency constitution,Yin deficiency constitution,phlegm dampness constitution,damp heat constitution,stagnant blood constitution,Qi stagnation constitution,and specific-inherited predisposition constitution.Deep learning algorithms were employed to construct multi-layer perceptron(MLP),long short-term memory(LSTM),and deep belief network(DBN)models for the prediction of TCM constitutions based on the nine constitution types.To optimize these TCM constitution prediction models,this study in-troduced the attention mechanism(AM),grey wolf optimizer(GWO),and particle swarm op-timization(PSO).The models’performance was evaluated before and after optimization us-ing the F1-score,accuracy,precision,and recall.Results The research analyzed a total of 31655 pieces of data.(i)Before optimization,the MLP model achieved more than 90%prediction accuracy for all constitution types except the balanced and Qi deficiency constitutions.The LSTM model's prediction accuracies exceeded 60%,indicating that their potential in TCM constitutional prediction may not have been fully realized due to the absence of pronounced temporal features in the data.Regarding the DBN model,the binary classification analysis showed that,apart from slightly underperforming in predicting the Qi deficiency constitution and damp heat constitution,with accuracies of 65%and 60%,respectively.The DBN model demonstrated considerable discriminative power for other constitution types,achieving prediction accuracy rates and area under the receiver op-erating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)values exceeding 70%and 0.78,respectively.This indicates that while the model possesses a certain level of constitutional differentiation abili-ty,it encounters limitations in processing specific constitutional features,leaving room for further improvement in its performance.For multi-class classification problem,the DBN model’s prediction accuracy rate fell short of 50%.(ii)After optimization,the LSTM model,enhanced with the AM,typically achieved a prediction accuracy rate above 75%,with lower performance for the Qi deficiency constitution,stagnant blood constitution,and Qi stagna-tion constitution.The GWO-optimized DBN model for multi-class classification showed an increased prediction accuracy rate of 56%,while the PSO-optimized model had a decreased accuracy rate to 37%.The GWO-PSO-DBN model,optimized with both algorithms,demon-strated an improved prediction accuracy rate of 54%.Conclusion This study constructed MLP,LSTM,and DBN models for predicting TCM consti-tution and improved them based on different optimisation algorithms.The results showed that the MLP model performs well,the LSTM and DBN models were effective in prediction but with certain limitations.This study also provided a new technology reference for the es-tablishment and optimisation strategies of TCM constitution prediction models,and a novel idea for the treatment of non-disease.

Challenges in integrating traditional Chinese medicine and gut microbiota research for insomnia treatment

The gut microbiome is an extensive variety of bacteria with a range of metabolic capabilities that can be pathogenic,beneficial,or opportunistic.Changes in the gut microbiota's composition can affect the link between gut integrity and host health as well as cause disruptions to numerous neurological systems.The second most prevalent mental health problem,insomnia has a negative social and economic impact.Currently,it is becoming increasingly obvious how crucial it is to preserve the delicate balance of gut microbiota to treat illness-related symptoms like insomnia.Although traditional Chinese medicine has proposed an effective strategy against insomnia through gut microbiota alteration in animal models,studies in human models are limited.This decreases the predictive value of the studies in terms of human outcomes.This editorial places an emphasis on cultural sensitivity rather than scientific reasoning that promotes the use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).We aim to emphasize the concern that promoting TCM could divert resources from conventional medical research,leading to suboptimal care.

Analysis of the Clinical Effect of Chinese Medicine Combined with Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Insomnia

Objective:To explore and analyze the clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of insomnia.Method:80 patients with primary insomnia were selected as the study sample,with 20 cases randomly selected as the control group and the rest as the observation group.The control group was treated with ordinary western medicine,while the observation group patients were treated with traditional Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and moxibustion based on this syndrome differentiation.The comparison items were treatment effect,sleep quality,mental health,quality of life,specific sleep indicators,cerebral blood flow and neurotransmitters.Result:The treatment effectiveness showed that the observation group had a higher treatment effectiveness rate than the control group(P<0.05);The results of sleep quality showed that after treatment,the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group in seven dimensions:sleep quality,sleep time,sleep onset time,sleep efficiency,sleep disorders,hypnotic drugs,and daytime dysfunc‐tion score(P<0.05);The quality of life results showed that after treatment,the observa‐tion group had higher scores than the control group in eight dimensions:physiological function,physiological function,physical pain,health status,energy,social function,emotional function,and mental health(P<0.05);The results of slow wave sleep time and fast eye movement sleep time showed that after treatment,the HAMA and HAMD scores of the physiological mechanism in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);The results of cerebral blood flow and neurotransmitter indica‐tors show that after treatment,glutamateγ-The peak systolic blood flow velocity of ami‐nobutyric acid,vertebral artery,and basilar artery in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical treatment of Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of insomnia patients can significantly improve the clinical treatment effect,and improve the cerebral hemorrhage and neurotransmitter status of patients,promote the improvement of their physical and mental status,can more significantly improve the quality of sleep,reduce sleep difficulties,reduce the dosage of sleeping pills,which has important clinical application value.

The Characteristics of the Drug Composition in the Treatment of Insomnia by External Bath Prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine

[Objectives]The research aimed to carry out a retrospective analysis on the characteristics of the drug composition in the treatment of insomnia by external bath prescription of traditional Chinese medicine,to provide ideas for the research and development of new Chinese medicine for insomnia.[Methods]The external bath prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine related to insomnia were collected,and the appearance frequency of drug was analyzed,and statistical analysis of drug with high appearance frequency was conducted.[Results]In the external bath prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine related to insomnia,the top ten herbs with high appearance frequency were as follows:Chaozaoren,Drgonsbones,Margaritifera,Yejiaoteng,Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus,Lilii Bulbus,Platycladi Semen,Poria,Coptidis Rhizoma,and Scutellariae Radix.According to the classification by efficacy,these herbs mostly have the effects of calming,nourishing and heat clearing.[Conclusions]Traditional Chinese medicine is most closely related to heart,kidney,liver and other viscera.Tranquilizing and sedative drugs should be chosen,which corresponds with the understanding on pathogenesis of insomnia in traditional Chinese medical science,and embodies the characteristics of external bath prescription of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of insomnia.

Application of traditional Chinese medicine nursing technique in hyperten hypertension with insomnia: A literature review

At present, unified and effective treatment for hypertension with insomnia is still lacking, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) nursing technology can improve insomnia symptoms, reduce blood pressure, alleviate fatigue, improve anxiety, depression, improve the quality of life for patients with hypertension and insomnia. There is not only the application of the single TCM nursing technology, such as acupoint massage, acupoint application, ear acupoint pressure beans and so on, but also the application of two or a variety of TCM nursing techniques in hypertension with insomnia. In this article, the results of TCM nursing technology on hypertension with insomnia in recent years are reviewed in order to provide reference for the treatment of hypertensive with insomnia.

Humanistic Spirit Contained in Traditional Chinese Medicine should Be Valued

Medicine is a science studying human's health and diseases as well as the regularity between them. Its research subject is human, who possess natural attribute, psychological attribute and social attribute. Therefore, medicine is bound to possess humanistic attribute. Rooted in Chinese traditional culture, Traditional Chinese Medicine contains abundant humanistic thoughts, for instance, pursuing the unity of human and nature, advocating the vital importance of life, sticking to the virtue of "medicine being humane art", abiding by the principle of "Benevolence prior to interest", complying with the medical rule of "Respecting peers". These are the very concrete reflections of medical humanistic spirit. In this article we aim to explore the humanistic thoughts contained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and try to inherit and carry forward the spirit to better relieve the tensions between doctors and patients and improve the quality of medical services.

Integrated flotation therapy for emotional regulation during the viral recovery period: Applying “form and spirit co-nourishing” in Chinese medicine

Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of flotation therapy combined with psychological resilience training in improving emotional regulation and sleep quality in patients recovering from viral infections and to assess the application of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)theory of“form and spirit co-nourishing”in modern healthcare interventions.Methods:A total of 20 patients recovering from viral infections with anxiety and sleep disturbances were randomly assigned to the experimental group(n=10)and the control group(n=10).The experimental group received a combination of resilience training,targeting five key areas:physiological regulation,cognitive restructuring,emotional management,self-efficacy,and social support,alongside flotation therapy,with 45-min weekly sessions.The control group received conventional medical treatment.Anxiety levels were measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale,while sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index,both before and after the intervention.Results:Compared with intervention before,the resilience level of the experimental group significantly increased after the intervention(P<0.001),while no notable changes were detected in the control group(P>0.05);the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower anxiety level and sleep disorder level and higher resilience level compared to the control group after the intervention(all P<0.001).Conclusion:The combined use of flotation therapy and resilience training,grounded in the TCM principle of“form and spirit co-nourishing,”significantly improves emotional regulation and sleep quality in patients recovering from viral infections.This integrative approach supports both physical and psychological healing,aligning with the TCM holistic treatment model,and offers a promising avenue for modern mental health interventions.

The theory development of traditional Chinese medicine constitution: a review

Traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC),as one of the most important parts of Chinese medicine theory,attracted the attention of more and more researchers and many research projects were conducted during past several decades in China's Mainland.This review provided a historic overview of TCMC theory and research progress in its classification,evaluation criteria and epidemiology,so as to give people through a different lens to understand human health.

Detection of consensuses and treatment principles of diabetic nephropathy in traditional Chinese medicine: A new approach

Objective:To propose and test a new approach based on community detection in the field of social computing for uncovering consensuses and treatment principles in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Methods:Three Chinese databases(CNKI,VIP,andWan Fang Data)were searched for published articles on TCM treatment of diabetic nephropathy(DN)from their inception until September 31,2014.Zheng classification and herbdatawereextractedfromincluded articlesand usedto construct a Zheng classification and treatment of diabetic nephropathy(DNZCT)network with nodes denoting Zhengs and herbs and edges denoting corresponding treating relationshipsamong them.Community detection was applied to the DNZCT and detected community structures were analyzed.Results:A network of 201 nodes and 743 edges were constructed and six communities were detected.Nodes clustered in the samecommunity captured the samesemantic topic;different communities had unique characteristics,and indicated different treatment principles.Large communities usually represented similar points of view or consensuses on common Zheng diagnoses and herb prescriptions;small communities might help to indicate unusual Zhengs and herbs.Conclusion:The results suggest that the community detection-based approach is useful and feasible for uncovering consensuses and treatment principles of DN treatment in TCM,and could be used to address other similar problems in TCM.

Relationship between symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine and indicator of western medicine about liver cirrhosis

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the safe and effective methods to treat liver cir-rhosis. The practitioners of TCM assess hepatic function in term of syndrome. But the course of syndrome differentiation is subjectivity. At pre-sent most of all the researches are focused on the relationship between the syndrome and the Western medicine objective indicators such as child-pugh grade. In fact syndrome is the syn-thesis of signs and symptoms and collecting signs, symptoms is easy than syndrome differ-entiation. We try to explore the relationship be-tween the objective Western medicine standard such as child-pugh grade, decompensation or compensation stage, active or inactive period and the signs and symptoms of TCM by using the data mining method. We use the information gain method to assess the attributes and use five typical classifiers such as logistic, Bayes-Net, NaiveBayes, RBF and C4.5 to obtain the classification accuracy. After attribute selection, we obtain the main symptoms and signs of TCM relating to the stage, period and child-pugh grade about liver cirrhosis. The experiment re-sults show the classification accuracy is im-proved after filtering some symptoms and signs.

Visualization analysis of the international standard ISO/TC 249 for traditional Chinese medicine

Objective This study proposes to visually review the current situation and progress of standards sets by the International Organization for Standardization/Technical Committee on Traditional Chinese Medicine(ISO/TC 249). The review aims to explore the development strategies of the standards, which will exhibit the considerable impact on the economy, trade and exchanges, and cooperation in the area of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Methods ISO/TC 249 standards were searched on the ISO website, and their title, proposed time, current stage, scope, and classification were obtained for further summarization. Gephi was utilized to portray the co-occurrence network graph of the ISO/TC 249 standards subject.Results In ISO/TC 249, there were 116 standards, including 81 published standards and 35 developing standards by April 30, 2022. Two withdrawal standards were published after revision, which were not counted in the total standards. The number of published standards has been increasing since the first standard was published in 2014, whose title was “Sterile acupuncture needles for single use”. Among these standards, 17.24%(20/116) standards were in review, 56.03%(65/116) in publication, 3.45%(4/116) in approval, 5.17%(6/116) in enquiry,3.45%(4/116) in committee, and 14.66%(17/116) in preparation, respectively. With 116 standards, most of the research focused on the medicament, as its classification of the International Classification for Standards(ICS) showed the proportion reaching 49.54%. The network analysis data revealed that the top five most frequent words were “materials” “root” “requirements” “products” and “system”, after removing the noise data, such as prepositions,conjunctions, and pronouns. Additionally, the word “system” co-exists with the terms “computerized” “coding” “image” “tongue” and “analysis”;the word “requirement” co-exists with“manufacturing” “decoction” “process” and “materials”;whereas the word “devices” coexists with “pulse” “electric” “skin” and “measurement”.Conclusion With the increased diversification and complexity of problems, the development of standards is also oriented to multidisciplinary fields to cultivate the interdisciplinary talents, and especially the international standardization talents of compound TCM. Multi-angle analysis, formulation, and demonstration of standards, in line with industry needs in different disciplines, enhance the availability of standards and the ability to serve the industry.

Analysis of the Causes of Insomnia in Young and Middle-aged People and Nursing Intervention Strategies of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

Objective:To examine insomnia in the modern young and middle-aged population and explore nursing intervention strategies using traditional Chinese and Western medicine.Methods:A total of 255 inpatients and outpatients were sampled from Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.The Sleep Questionnaire for Young and Middle-aged People was used to assess insomnia,and a linear regression model was applied for data analysis.Results:A total of 251 valid questionnaires were collected.Correlation analysis revealed a high incidence of insomnia among respondents.Linear correlation analysis indicated that mental illness or other underlying diseases leading to pain had a significantly positive effect on symptom improvement through Chinese and Western medicine treatments(B=0.763,P<0.01).Conversely,work or life pressures(emotional or financial issues)had a significantly negative impact on treatment effectiveness(B=-0.503,P<0.01).Cross-analysis identified high life or work pressure as the primary cause of insomnia(70.1%).Conclusion:Insomnia is prevalent among the young and middle-aged in modern times,with high work or life pressure being the leading factor.

Development and validation of tongue imaging-based radiomics tool for the diagnosis of insomnia degree:a two-center study

Background:Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is commonly used for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia,with tongue diagnosis being particularly important.The aim of our study was to develop and validate a novel tongue imaging-based radiomics(TIR)method for accurately diagnosing insomnia severity.Methods:This two-center analysis prospectively enrolled 399 patients who underwent tongue imaging between July and October 2021 and divided them into primary and validation cohorts by study center.Here,we referred to the Insomnia Severity Index(ISI)standard and the degree of insomnia was evaluated as absent,subthreshold,moderate,or severe.For developed the TIR diagnostic tool,a U-Net algorithm was used to segment tongue images.Subsequently,seven imaging features were selected from the extracted high-throughout radiomics features using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm.Then,the final radiomics model was developed in the primary cohort and tested in the independent validation cohort.Finally,we assessed and compared the diagnostic performance differences between TCM tongue diagnosis and our TIR diagnostic tool with the ISI gold standard.The confusion matrix was calculated to evaluate the diagnostic performance.Results:Seven tongue imaging features were selected to build the TIR tool,with showing good correlations with the insomnia degree.The TIR method had an accuracy of 0.798,a macro-average sensitivity of 0.78,a macro-average specificity of 0.906,a weighted-average sensitivity of 0.798,and a weighted specificity of 0.916,showing a significantly better performance compared to the average performance of three experienced TCM physicians(mean accuracy of 0.458,P<0.01).Conclusions:The preliminary study demonstrates the potential application of TIR in the diagnosis of insomnia degree and measurement of sleep health.The integration of quantitative imaging analysis and machine learning algorithms holds promise for advancing both of TCM and precision sleep medicine.

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine for Epilepsy Treatment Should Be Administered According to the Seizure Type and Epileptic Syndrome

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) has long been used to treat epilepsy. Although many clinical trials and animal studies have seemingly demonstrated its effect, the question of whether TCHM is efficacious in epileptic patients has not been certified because of insufficient supportive evidence. This insufficient supportive evidence stems from the fact that most of the current studies regarding TCHM for epilepsy treatment are not designed according to the different seizure types and epileptic syndromes (STESs). Here, we explore the reasons why many studies have not considered the various STESs and explain how to treat epilepsy according to the pharmacological mechanism for different STESs and exploit the advantage of TCHM for epilepsy treatment. Then, we explain how we treat epilepsy using TCHM according to the different STESs and Bian Zheng Lun Zi.

Logistics Regression Analysis between TCM Constitution Types of Patients with Hypertension,Insomnia and ABPM,PSQI

[Objectives]The research aimed to explore the distribution characteristics of TCM constitution types of patients with hypertension and insomnia,and study the clinical characteristics of patients with different constitutions,in order to provide new ideas for the treatment of patients with hypertension and insomnia.[Methods]Cross sectional observation method was used,and 420 patients with hypertension and insomnia were selected.Required information was collected,and the constitution type of traditional Chinese medicine was determined,and relevant data were recorded.SPSS and Logistic regression analysis method were used to explore the correlation between the distribution of TCM constitution types and gender,age,24 h-SBP,24 h-DBP,24 h-BPV,PSQI score,etc.[Results]Among 420 patients,the proportion of gentleness constitution was the most,and others in turn were Qi deficiency constitution>Yang deficiency constitution>phlegm dampness constitution>Qi stagnation constitution>Yin deficiency constitution>blood stasis constitution>damp heat constitution>special constitution.Among male patients,the proportion of gentleness constitution was the most.Among female patients,the proportion of Qi deficiency constitution was the most.In each constitution,the proportion of men and women was different,and the difference in gentleness constitution,Qi deficiency constitution and Yin deficiency constitution had statistical significance(P<0.05).The proportion of gentleness constitution for young and middle-aged patients was the most,while elderly patients with Qi deficiency constitution was the most.There was difference in the distribution of TCM constitution in different age groups,and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).Compared with the patients with gentleness constitution,the patients with Qi deficiency constitution,Yang deficiency constitution,Yin deficiency constitution,damp heat constitution,blood stasis constitution and Qi stagnation constitution had different differences in terms of age,24 h-SBP,24 h-DBP,24 h-BPV and PSQI score,and there was statistical significance(P<0.05).Except damp heat constitution,blood stasis constitution and special constitution,other constitutions had certain correlation with age,24 h-SBP,24 h-DBP,24 h-BPV and PSQI score.[Conclusions]TCM constitution types of patients with hypertension and insomnia were dominant by gentleness constitution,Qi deficiency constitution and Yang deficiency constitution.The distribution of TCM constitution in different gender and age groups was different,and different TCM constitution was related to ABPM and PSQI.

Unity of form and spirit in Huangdi Neijing

Traditional Chinese medicine has many core contents,one of which is the unity of form and spirit.To inherit and develop traditional Chinese medicine,we need to reexamine traditional Chinese medicine with philosophy and medicine.Taking Huangdi Neijing as an example,we restudy the unity of form and spirit in traditional Chinese medicine from two aspects of medicine and philosophy.

To explore the mechanism of Erxian decoction in treating insomnia based on network pharmacology

Objective:This paper aims to explore the mech-anism of Erxian Decoction in treating insoimnia by means of network pharmacology research method.Methods:The com-ponents and related targets of Erxian Decoction are screened by TCMSP database.Disease targets are obtained by OMMM and Gene Cards database,and the common targets of drugs and diseases are obtained.The network diagram of"drug-coumponent-disease-target"is constructed and analyzed.STRING database constructs PPI network and finds the core target.GO and KEGG enrichnent analysis are employed on intersection targets.Results:84 effective components and 169 drug targets.of Erxian Decoction as well as 2614 targets of insomnia are screened out.Seventy-two intersection targets are selected by Venn diagram,and the core targets include IL-6,TNF,VEGFA and L-1β.These intersection targets contain 404 GO processes and 67 KEGG pathways,including TOLL-like receptor signaling pathway,cyclic adenosine monophosphate(CAMP)signaling pathway and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)signaling pathway.Conclusion:Erxian Decoction may play a role in treating insomnia by regulating TOLL-like receptor signaling pathway,cyclic adenosine monophosphate(CAMP)signaling pathway and tumnor necrosis factor(TNF)signaling pathway.